Mounting system for decorator tiles

ABSTRACT

A mounting base has upturned edges that can be used in tile applications to hold a magnetized decorator tile. The mounting base may be a powder coated galvanized metal box, for example, that may retain a decorator tile having a magnet attached to a backside thereof. The mounting base may be installed in a tile installation at a location where a consumer may desire a decorator tile. The consumer may be able to place, remove and exchange various decorator tiles in the mounting base affordably and with ease, without compromising the integrity of the rest of the tile. The mounting base may be sized and shaped to accept various standard tile sizes, as well as custom sizes and shapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to decorator tiles and, more particularly, to a mounting system for providing decorator tiles that may be removed and changed without compromising the integrity of the rest of the tile.

Currently, decorator tiles are often installed with a tile installation. Consumers typically choose a decorator tile that is installed with the complete tile installation. These decorator tiles are set in place like any of the other tiles. Should the consumer decide they want to change the tile appearance, there is no convenient option currently for the removal and replacement of these decorator tiles. While there may be an option to try to chip out the old decorative tile and replace it with a different one, such a process may damage, chip or crack adjacent tiles. Moreover, it may be difficult to match the existing grout when the new decorative tile is installed.

As can be seen, there is a need for a decorator tile mounting system that allows a consumer to easily and affordably change decorator tiles without compromising the integrity of the rest of the tile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tile installation system comprises a mounting base adapted to be installed in place of a stationary tile in a tile installation; a decorator tile adapted to removably fit into the mounting base; a bonding agent adapted to secure the mounting base in place; and a magnet adapted to be adhered to a backside of a decorator tile, the magnet being magnetically attracted to the mounting base.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing tile with an exchangeable decorator tile comprises choosing a location for the decorator tile; installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location; adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a consumer with an exchangeable decorator tile comprises choosing a location for the decorator tile; installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location; installing stationary tiles adjacent to the mounting base; grouting up to upturned sides of the mounting base; adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall having a decorator tile installed therein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a decorator tile mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a mounting base having upturned edges that can be used in tile applications to hold a magnetized decorator tile. The mounting base may be a powder coated galvanized metal box, for example, that may retain a decorator tile having a magnet attached to a backside thereof. The mounting base may be installed in a tile installation at a location where a consumer may desire a decorator tile. The consumer may be able to place, remove and exchange various decorator tiles in the mounting base affordably and with ease, without compromising the integrity of the rest of the tile. The mounting base may be sized and shaped to accept various standard tile sizes, as well as custom sizes and shapes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a decorator tile 10 having a decoration/artwork 22 formed thereupon, may be installed among stationary tiles 18 in a tile installation. When a desired location for the decorator tile 10 is determined, a mounting base 12 may be installed in that location. The mounting base 12 may be set in place with a bonding agent 24. The bonding agent 24 may be any agent capable of securing the mounting base 12 to the base substrate (which may be wall board, cement board, concrete, wood, or the like). In some embodiments, the bonding agent 24 may be the same thinset or mortar used for installing the stationary tiles 18. In some embodiments, the bonding agent 24 may not be needed if the mounting base 12 is attached directly to the substrate. For example, the mounting base 12 may be mechanically fastened to the substrate with, for example, a screw, or the like. The mounting base 12 may be secured in place by any conventional means, including mechanical fasteners, adhesive, bonding agent, or the like.

The mounting base 12 may be any magnetically attractive material. For example, the mounting base 12 may be formed of a powder coated galvanized steel.

One or more magnets 14 may be attached to a backside of the decorator tile 10. A magnet adhesive 16, such as glue or a peel and stick tape, may be used to attach the magnet(s) 14 to the decorator tile 10. Once the magnet 14 is in place and the bonding agent 24 is securing the mounting base 12 in place, the decorator tile 10 may be placed in the mounting base 12 to provide a removable decorator tile installation as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, grout 20 may be disposed adjacent to the sides of the mounting base 12, where the sides of the mounting base are flush with the grout 20. The mounting base 12 may be provided in various colors to coordinate with the color of the grout 20. In some embodiments, the sides of the mounting base 12 may be lower, allowing grout 20 to be disposed over the sides of the mounting base 12, hiding these edges. In some embodiments, the sides of the mounting base 12 may be removed and grout may simply form the opening for placement of the decorator tile 10.

The mounting base 12 may be formed in various sizes and shapes to accommodate various sizes and shapes of the decorator tile 10. Typically, the mounting base 12 may be square or rectangular, with exemplary shapes including 2×2, 4×4, 3×6 and 6×6 (inches).

In some embodiments, the mounting base 12 may have upturned edges on only two opposing sides thereof. This can allow multiple mounting bases to be linked, end to end, to form a long row where removable decorator tile may be installed. For example, if a decorator strip is desired in a bath tile installation, the mounting base 12 may be installed as a strip to allow the strip of decorator tile to be installed therein.

While the above description refers to a magnet attached to the decorator tile and a metallic base, other attachment mechanisms may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, a pin, or the like, may be adhered to the backside of the decorator tile and a hole, for example, may be disposed on the mounting base to accept the pin and retain the decorator tile within the mounting base.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tile installation system comprising: a mounting base adapted to be installed in place of a stationary tile in a tile installation; a decorator tile adapted to removably fit into the mounting base; a bonding agent adapted to secure the mounting base in place; and a magnet adapted to be adhered to a backside of a decorator tile, the magnet being magnetically attracted to the mounting base.
 2. The tile installation system of claim 1, wherein the mounting base has upturned sides.
 3. The tile installation system of claim 1, wherein the mounting base is formed from a powder coated galvanized metal.
 4. The tile installation of claim 3, wherein the mounting base is colored to coordinate with a grout color used in the tile installation.
 5. A method of installing tile with an exchangeable decorator tile, the method comprising: choosing a location for the decorator tile; installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location; adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising grouting up to upturned sides of the mounting base.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising installing stationary tiles adjacent to the mounting base.
 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising removing a first decorator tile from the mounting base and replacing the first decorator tile with a second decorator tile by adhering a magnet to a backside of the second decorator tile and placing the second decorator tile into the mounting base.
 9. A method for providing a consumer with an exchangeable decorator tile, the method comprising: choosing a location for the decorator tile; installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location; installing stationary tiles adjacent to the mounting base; grouting up to upturned sides of the mounting base; adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising removing a first decorator tile from the mounting base and replacing the first decorator tile with a second decorator tile by adhering a magnet to a backside of the second decorator tile and placing the second decorator tile into the mounting base. 